Risk of latent tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers in Italy: a retrospective study with Quantiferon Test
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 10, 2025

Diagnosing Pulmonary Tuberculosis with the Xpert MTB/RIF Test
Published on: April 9, 2012
Luca Coppeta1, Cristiana Ferrari2, Mariacarmela Ferraro3
1Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
Objective:
The latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a state of persistent immune response to stimulation by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis antigens without clinical manifestation: the healthcare workers (HCWs) have a higher exposure risk so prevention is an important challenge for occupational medicine. The aim of our study is to evaluate the prevalence of LTBI among HCWs of the Foundation Policlinic "Tor Vergata".
Methods:
This is a retrospective study conducted by analyzing the clinical records of 825 HCWs of the PTV, from January 1st to December 31th 2016. To evaluate the TB infection we used the Quantiferon TB Gold interferon-gamma release assay.
Results:
Our study underlines the low prevalence of LTBI in the Italian healthcare workers.
Conclusion:
Although the LTBI status is not contagious, the diagnosis and the safety strategies require specific clinical and preventive considerations.
Related Concept Videos
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Bias in Epidemiological Studies

